Suggested lenses for portraits/family images/weddings/etc?

[deductress]

Hello all,

I have a D3200 and i'm wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of a suitable lens for taking portrait images, or more specifically wedding/family photos. I'm hoping to finally step into the business side of photography, and wanting to start offering my services at weddings, etc, but not entirely sure what lens(es) is(are) most suitable for this.

I don't have a studio or anything so the locations would be most likely forests/gardens, etc, so no white screens or anything like that. (If that makes any difference.)

Thank you for any advice given!

Edit: I should add, I am seeking for s/h, however money isn't too much of an issue at the moment, (though i would prefer cheap XD), so feel free to recommend anything at any price.

 

[ChrisHeathcote]

What other equipment and lenses do you already have? Firstly credit for taking the plunge however you need to be certain of your equipment and skills first. For weddings you need a second body as a backup plenty of batteries and memory cards. The last thing you want is for an equipment failure to spoils someone's big day. With lenses you will need either fast zooms or primes. Typically 70-200 and also 17-40 (don't know the Nikon equiv as I shoot Canon). Whatever you decide good luck.

 

[deductress]

What other equipment and lenses do you already have? Firstly credit for taking the plunge however you need to be certain of your equipment and skills first. For weddings you need a second body as a backup plenty of batteries and memory cards. The last thing you want is for an equipment failure to spoils someone's big day. With lenses you will need either fast zooms or primes. Typically 70-200 and also 17-40 (don't know the Nikon equiv as I shoot Canon). Whatever you decide good luck.

Thank you, I really appreciate the advice.
I only have a kit lens (Nikkor 18-55mm 1.3-5.6G) and a macro (Nikkor 40mm 1:2.8G), because so far I've only specialised in flower photography, however that doesn't make too much money. XD
To be honest I was hoping to start much easier and just start with basic portrait images, and with time/experience work my way into wedding, so would it be a different lens if it were just portraits and not wedding?
The multi-memory cards and batteries is noted, something I stupidly hadn't considered, so thank you.

 

[sep9001]

Thank you, I really appreciate the advice.
I only have a kit lens (Nikkor 18-55mm 1.3-5.6G) and a macro (Nikkor 40mm 1:2.8G), because so far I've only specialised in flower photography, however that doesn't make too much money. XD
To be honest I was hoping to start much easier and just start with basic portrait images, and with time/experience work my way into wedding, so would it be a different lens if it were just portraits and not wedding?
The multi-memory cards and batteries is noted, something I stupidly hadn't considered, so thank you.

With wedding you need a second camera, a number of lens, insurance..A lot to think about. For just portrait you need to also think about lighting and additional accessories. With regards to lenses have heard people say the 85mm is a nice portrait lens.

 

[deductress]

With wedding you need a second camera, a number of lens, insurance..A lot to think about. For just portrait you need to also think about lighting and additional accessories. With regards to lenses have heard people say the 85mm is a nice portrait lens.

Could you suggest any particular additional accessories that would be necessary? And an 85mm, does it matter what make, or just a general 85mm?

Thank you for your help~

 

[sep9001]

Could you suggest any particular additional accessories that would be necessary? And an 85mm, does it matter what make, or just a general 85mm?

Thank you for your help~

As you shoot nikon you would need a Nikon 85mm f1.8, as for accessories, you would need a flash, softbox, light stands, reflectors...

 

[Sir SR]

Hi.


For portraits it all depends on how much room you have. The 70-200 f2.8 is a great portrait lens if you have the space. The 85mm f1.8 (or if flush an f1.4) is also excellent for portraits.

The 50mm f1.8 is a nice focal length on the cropped sensor that you have whereas the 35 f1.8 gas to be one of the best lenses Nikon does in terms of bang for buck. I've used all the above on a crop sensor (d90) and my favourite was the 85mm f1.4 samyang manual focus.

For versatility I had a 17-50 f2.8 tamron non VC. Great lens too. Lots of examples of the above on my Flickr.

As well as lenses, think about modifying the light. Be that with flash/soft boxes/brollies or just simple reflectors.

Hope that help

S

 

[deductress]

Hi.


For portraits it all depends on how much room you have. The 70-200 f2.8 is a great portrait lens if you have the space. The 85mm f1.8 (or if flush an f1.4) is also excellent for portraits.

The 50mm f1.8 is a nice focal length on the cropped sensor that you have whereas the 35 f1.8 gas to be one of the best lenses Nikon does in terms of bang for buck. I've used all the above on a crop sensor (d90) and my favourite was the 85mm f1.4 samyang manual focus.

For versatility I had a 17-50 f2.8 tamron non VC. Great lens too. Lots of examples of the above on my Flickr.

As well as lenses, think about modifying the light. Be that with flash/soft boxes/brollies or just simple reflectors.

Hope that help

S

Now this was a really helpful reply, thank you!

Thanks for all the suggestions, i'll have a look through them all individually. Is there any you'd say were most suitable for outside use, or were they all evenly based?
I looked at your Flickr images, gorgeous work, I absolutely adore http://www.flickr.com/photos/63852338@N07/8477774659/ - i don't suppose you remember what lens you used for that one at all? It's absolutely beautifully detailed.

And for the modifying the light reference, what would you personally recommend to be the most effective method? (e.g. flash/box/brollie) Admittedly i know very little about light equipment, so i'm not sure what would be best to invest in. The images i'm considering would be mostly outdoors work, if that makes a difference.

Thanks again!

 

[Sir SR]

Hi


That pic I think was on my full frame d800 paired with a tamron 28-75 f2.8. I think I had a flash bounced off the ceiling with a silver reflector below.

In terms of light modifying, a cheap reflector is a great investment - I bought one for a fiver several years ago and it's one of the best things I've bought in terms if improving my pictures.

You don't need expensive kit - it's all about the light, seeing it, modifying it, using it. You can get beautiful results with window light and a reflector.

S

 

[ChrisHeathcote]

Now this was a really helpful reply, thank you!



And for the modifying the light reference, what would you personally recommend to be the most effective method? (e.g. flash/box/brollie) Admittedly i know very little about light equipment, so i'm not sure what would be best to invest in. The images i'm considering would be mostly outdoors work, if that makes a difference.

Thanks again!

You can pick up reflectors fairly cheaply these days. As you say you will mainly be shooting outdoors you can make best use of the natural light rather than using flash. Probably want to be looking at getting a flashgun, either branded if you have the money or alternately Yongnuo seems to get great responses and for sub £100 too. You will also want to use the flash off camera so allow for remote triggers either pocket wizards or again I use Yongnuo. Maybe a softbox and stand.

The list goes on. My recommendation would be start small, learn how to get the best out of that and then when something is holding you back add to your kit.

As to lenses again as you are shooting outside, space won't be an issue so a big recommendation for the 70-200. It's a great range. You already have the low end covered for now. So try what you have, think about what you are missing then buy

 

[deductress]

Hi


That pic I think was on my full frame d800 paired with a tamron 28-75 f2.8. I think I had a flash bounced off the ceiling with a silver reflector below.

In terms of light modifying, a cheap reflector is a great investment - I bought one for a fiver several years ago and it's one of the best things I've bought in terms if improving my pictures.

You don't need expensive kit - it's all about the light, seeing it, modifying it, using it. You can get beautiful results with window light and a reflector.

S

Awesome thank you, i'll look into getting a reflector then, thanks for the advice!

 

[deductress]

You can pick up reflectors fairly cheaply these days. As you say you will mainly be shooting outdoors you can make best use of the natural light rather than using flash. Probably want to be looking at getting a flashgun, either branded if you have the money or alternately Yongnuo seems to get great responses and for sub £100 too. You will also want to use the flash off camera so allow for remote triggers either pocket wizards or again I use Yongnuo. Maybe a softbox and stand.

The list goes on. My recommendation would be start small, learn how to get the best out of that and then when something is holding you back add to your kit.

As to lenses again as you are shooting outside, space won't be an issue so a big recommendation for the 70-200. It's a great range. You already have the low end covered for now. So try what you have, think about what you are missing then buy

Okay, that's great, I've got all that noted down - thanks a lot for the advice, i'll look into the 70-200 for the now then. And could a flashgun be used independently, or does it require a softbox, etc to work altogether? Sorry for my ignorance. XD I'm just thinking, as you say, for starting off small, would i be fine just owning a flashgun and a reflector, and doing portraits from that alone and then building up to more equipment, or would i require the full set first to produce decent images?
Thank you! =]

 

[ChrisHeathcote]

And could a flashgun be used independently, or does it require a softbox, etc to work altogether? Sorry for my ignorance. XD I'm just thinking, as you say, for starting off small, would i be fine just owning a flashgun and a reflector, and doing portraits from that alone and then building up to more equipment, or would i require the full set first to produce decent images?
Thank you! =]

I think a reflector and flashgun would be a great start. As to the flashgun you can use it on its own The softbox helps with diffusing the light so as to avoid strong shadows. You can also get push on diffusers that help with the light. Like I said learn what each item does first before moving onto the next.

You can find loads of tutorials on YouTube which are helpful

 

[deductress]

I think a reflector and flashgun would be a great start. As to the flashgun you can use it on its own The softbox helps with diffusing the light so as to avoid strong shadows. You can also get push on diffusers that help with the light. Like I said learn what each item does first before moving onto the next.

You can find loads of tutorials on YouTube which are helpful

Brilliant, thank you very much for your help. =]